Stay ConnectedListen to the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, hosted by Matt Wyatt. We’ll dive into fascinating conversations about Mississippi’s rich outdoor life, where each episode brings new knowledge about wildlife, the outdoors, and unique local experiences. Join us for diverse stories all aimed at shaping the state’s cultural outdoor narrative.
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Copyright: © Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt is joined by Gary Holcomb, coordinator of the Mississippi Scholastic Shooting Program (MSSP). Gary shares his personal journey from a 10-year-old 4-H champion in Pontotoc to a 15-time state champion and coach at Mississippi State. He explains how MSSP has grown to include nearly 100 public, private, and club-based shooting teams across the state, teaching youth the fundamentals of shotgun sports. Gary also discusses the philosophy behind good shooting—how consistency, discipline, and process matter more than just pulling the trigger. Whether you're a parent, coach, or student, this episode offers a clear and compelling look at the impact of youth shooting sports in Mississippi.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with land agent and outdoor TV host Slade Priest, better known as The Hunting Land Man. Slade shares his journey from growing up in a land-and-timber family to building a life around hunting, land management, and conservation. They talk bowhunting, trail cameras, what to look for when buying hunting land, and how to manage property for better deer and turkey habitat. Slade also reflects on hunting with his children, helping clients build their own outdoor legacies, and why Mississippi will always be home.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt talks with Logan Nevins, national events coordinator with Ducks Unlimited, about the upcoming Ducks Unlimited Expo (DUX) in Memphis. Logan breaks down what visitors can expect from the three-day outdoor expo, including new gear, industry partners, and a $30,000 Polaris door prize. He also shares how he went from volunteering with DU as a student in Michigan to working full-time in event planning and conservation advocacy. They discuss duck hunting culture, volunteer passion, and why Mississippi plays such a key role in the waterfowl migration cycle.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt talks with Buford Lessley, a fisheries biologist with MDWFP. From invasive aquatic plants to electro fishing techniques, Buford shares what it takes to maintain healthy fisheries across Mississippi’s state lakes and private ponds. He explains how vegetation can both help and harm bass populations, why pond owners should fish more, and how programs like Clean, Drain, Dry help prevent the spread of invasive species. The episode is packed with practical advice for landowners, anglers, and anyone curious about fish management in Mississippi.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Jim McCafferty, attorney, author, and longtime outdoorsman, to explore the forgotten hunting traditions of Mississippi’s Delta and hill country. Jim shares the research behind his books on legendary bear hunters, 19th-century field trials, and tales of panthers that once roamed the South. The conversation moves between historic bear camps and quail fields to personal memories of growing up in Mississippi. It’s a reflective and richly detailed look at the characters and culture that shaped hunting in the Deep South.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Greg Glotzbecker, Fisheries Coordinator for MDWFP. Greg explains the unique dynamics of Mississippi’s oxbow lakes—how they’re formed, why they matter, and the challenges of managing sportfish in an unpredictable, flood-prone environment. He also discusses what the data tells us about the state’s fisheries, from tournament bass numbers to the impact of live sonar, and why some lakes consistently produce bigger fish. Whether you’re into crappie, bass, or catfish, this episode offers a data-driven and personal look at how Mississippi keeps its waters healthy and its anglers happy.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with Adam Rohnke of Mississippi State University's Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center. Adam unpacks the surprisingly wild landscape of the Jackson metro area—from coyotes near downtown to invasive nutria rats in neighborhood parks. He explains the goals of the Jackson Urban Wildlife Project, a camera-based monitoring program tied to a national network, and shares how citizen scientists play a key role. The discussion covers research, public outreach, and the complex human emotions around geese, foxes, deer, and more, all within city limits.
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In this episode, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Camille Richards to explore the story behind the Mississippi Paddle Mafia—a grassroots paddling group that’s become a driving force for community, conservation, and outdoor adventure across the state. Camille shares how the group started, the unique name origin, and how they're introducing more Mississippians to the rivers, bayous, and backwaters of their own backyard. From overnight camping floats to adaptive paddling outreach, this episode charts a course through both fun and purpose on the water.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, Matt Wyatt sits down with Florence native and professional baseball player Davis Bradshaw. They talk about his journey through the ranks of baseball and what it’s like now playing for the Mississippi Mud Monsters. But just as important to Davis is his life off the field. From deer hunting in his backyard to duck hunting in the Mississippi Delta, Davis shares how the outdoors keeps him grounded, no matter where baseball takes him.
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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with the officers of the Law Enforcement K-9 Division at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Officers share their stories about how they became conservation officers, what led them into the world of working dogs, and how these K-9s help track missing persons, assist in investigations, and support search and rescue operations across Mississippi. You’ll hear how these elite dogs are trained, what makes them special, and why this unit is such a critical part of protecting both people and wildlife in Mississippi.
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